Automatic regulator for the distribution of predetermined quantities of gas under variable atmospheric pressures



I. C. I. DE LESTANG-PARADE. AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OFPREDETERMINED QUANTITIES 0F GAS UNDER VARIABLE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15. I917.

1A3J3 I rammed 00$ 31, 19220 2 SHEETS-SHEET l- FigAI.

J. C. 1. DE LESTANG-PARADE.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR-FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF PREDETERMINED QUANTITIES 0FGAS UNDER VARIABLE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15, 1917.-

Patentedl Oct. 31, 1922,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Patented Get. 311, M22.

UNHTEEDD STATES Leeann PATENT castes.

mesons enemas Josnrn 1m nns'rane-raaann, or rants, raanon.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF PREDETERMINED QUANTITIES FGAS UNDER VABILE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURES.

Application filed November 15, 1917. erial No. 202,260.

- Gas Under Variable Atmospheric Pressures, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to an automatic regulator permitting ofthe distribution'of predetermined quantities of gas under variablepressures of an extraneous medium such as the atmosphere.

This apparatus is more particularly applicable to aerial navigation, toenable aviators or aeronauts to combat the effects of the lowering ofthe pressure of the atmosphere.

It is known that in proportion as one rises through the atmosphere thepressure of the latter decreases, which occasions, in the humanorganism, serious troubles, capable, in the event of the height attainedbeing too considerable, of causing death.

In order to combat the effects of this reduction in pressure, oxygen inthe form of inhalations has already been utilized and various deviceshave been contrived for the purpose of distributing this gas.

Nevertheless the working of such apparatus is subordinate to the will ofthe aviator or aviators in the aerial machine, that is to say, theoxygen-distributing apparatus has to be actuated by the said aviator oraviators at the proper time.

Moreover, the aviator or aviators are obliged to regulate thedistributing of oxygen according to the altitude attained, whichpresents a certain difficulty.

Numerous accidents have demonstrated the disadvantages of apparatusarranged in this Way.

The apparatus forming the subject-matter of the present invention iscontrived in such a way as to permit of an automatic distribution ofoxygen or other gas in predetermined quantities corresponding to thevalue of the atmospheric pressure.

The present apparatus is characterized essentially by the fact that itresponds to variation of altitude, and utilizes the effects of thebarometricpressure for the purpose of actuating a gas-distributor.

To this end this distributor is controlled by a series of barometricshells or vacuum chambers placed side by side, the expansion orcontraction of which causes the displacement of a slide valve providedwith an aperture of progressive depth and breadth, permitting of avariable and predetermined distribution of gas according to the positionof the slide valve.

The present invention also relates to the combination of thisdistributing valve actuated by barometric pressure as aforesaid with agas-expander of special arrangement and with members for adjusting andcontrolling the fiow of the expanded gas.

By way of example the invention is illustrated 1n the accompanyingdrawing, in which Figure 1 shows in elevation the apparatus as a whole,adapted to distribute expanded oxygen to three persons.

Figure 2 is a corresponding plan.

Flgure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the distributing valveproper.

Figures 4 and 5 are two vertical sections of the expander, taken alongthe lines A--A of Figure 1 and B-B of Figure 2 respectively.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken along the line CC of Figure 4;.

Figure 7 is a vertical section of the device for controlling the flow ofthe expanded as.

Figure 8 is a detail view in section of the valve for limiting the gassupply to one or more persons, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2.

As may be seen in the drawing, the apparatus forming the subject-matterof the present invention comprises a series of barometric shells orvacuum chambers a, the

faces of which are connected to one another by rings 6 for the purposeof multiplying the flexions produced by the variations in pressure.

The ring of one of the end chambers of this pressure responsive deviceis fixed on to a support 0 mounted on a base (Z. The ring of the chamberlocated at the other end is formed or connected with a horizontal rodcapable of sliding in a guiding member 6 secured to the aforesaid base dand provided with a collar or sleeve 6 serving as a stop when-cominginto contact with the face of the guiding member aforesaid.

The object of the rod e is to control an ox- SEQ I gen-distributorcomprising a sliding memerf'displaceable in a cylinder f arrangedhorizontally and open at one of its ends in order to permit of thesliding member being actuated by or connected to thevrod e, these twomembers being in alignment withone another. The oxygen is admitted intothe passage 9'.

i 7 cylinder f through a passage 9 and it can not left the ground, thevacuum chambers a I occupy-the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, andthe sleeve 6 of the rod 6 is in contact with the guide e. In thisposition of the vacuum chambers, the sliding member f is in such aposition as to completely close the aperture g for the outletof theoxygen, which, entering through the passage g, fills the chamber f ofthe cylinder f of the distributor, (Figure 3).

When the aircraft has left the ground, in

proportion as it rises the atmospheric pressure decreases, whichoccasions a progressive' expansion of the vacuum chambers 11 andconsequently a displacement of the rod e, which pushes-back the slidingmember f into the cylinder f.

This displacement of the sliding member I has the efiect first of all ofbringing the extremity of the cavity 2', and then the deeper and deeperparts of this cavity, over the orifice of the passage 9'.

It follows that in proportion as the machine rises in the air, uantitiesof oxygen escaping through the distributing valve become larger andlarger.

When the aircraft comes down again the vacuum chambers a progressivelycontract and the sliding member f is carried forward again by the ullexerted by the rod 0, in

such a way that shallow and shallower parts.

of the cavity 2' are in turn brought over the orifice of the outletpassage 9, which occasions a progressive diminution in the flow ofoxygen, until, the flying machine or balloon having arrived near theground, the sliding member completely closes the orifioeof the gasoutlet member.

. It will be seen from the above that the apl paratus permits of theautomatic distribution of predetermined quantities of gas un-' dervariable atmospheric pressures.

In other words, when the apparatus is suitably regulated, the passage ofgas is regulated or under the control of the responsive device in suchwise as to allow a more magma or less abundant flow of the gas accordingto theatmospheric pressure, so as to compensate 'for the varying oxygencontent of the atmosphere. I

It will be understood that if the distributor is connected to a suitablemask or other apparatus applied to the face of the aviator, the latterwill always receive automatically the quantity of oxy en necessary forcombating the effects of the lowering of the pressure of the atmosphere,whatever maybe the altitude that he reaches.

Nevertheless. since the oxygen contained in the reservoir is at too higha pressure to be capable of being utilized directly, it is necessary toexpand itjsuitabl'y" before it enters the distributor. 1": 11- f I p Theapparatus fomningfthesubjset-matter of the present invention comprisesaspecial expander, acock for regulating the quantity of expanded gaspermitted to pass according as to whether the apparatus is to supplyone,

two or three persons, and a device for controlling the flow of theexpanded gas as it comes from the distributor.

The expander comprises a circular box or chamber 7' divided into twosuperposed compartments j and by a diaphragm is.

i The upper compartment j forms a fluidtight chamber enclosing airat'the atmospheric pressure of theplace where the apparatus wasadjusted, for a purpose which will be indicated further on.

The lower compartment 1' in which the expansion of the gas takes place,communi- 100 cates on the one hand with the oxy en reservoir by means ofpassages l and l ormed in the connecting member Z and through the mediumof a passage Z and a pipe 72 with the admission passage 9 of thedistributing valve chamber f.

The expansion vof the gas following manner I At the centre of thediaphragm is is mounted a forked member n in which is' pivotally mountedthe extremity of a lever n, which is again; pivoted at a second point toa supportnc arried by the bottom of the box j. The free end of the levern is in contact with avspring' blade 0, secured to the bottom of the boxjand carries a washer o is effected in the capable of being applied tothe orifice of'the oxygen admission passage I, this orifice be eing.placed at a flevel higher than that of the compartment 7' as shown thepressure exerted on this spring by the lever 10/.

When the sliding member is actuated and gas flows from the distributor,the pressure inside the expander falls, which gives elasticity to thediaphragm k, which can then yield.

The oxygen under pressure arriving by the passage Z then raises thespring o and enters the compartment j until, in consequence of thepressure exerted by this gas on the diaphragm is, the latter actuatesthe lever n, which-applies the washer of the spring 0 to the orifice ofthe passage Z.

It will be understood from the above that according to the initialposition occupied by the lever n the quantity of gas admitted into theexpander will be greater or less.

In order to enable variations of discharge to be obtained at will, theforked member n is provided with a screw-threaded rod 71* passingthrough the bottom of a cup a fixed to the centre of the diaphragm 1a.This rod receives a nut n located in the said cup and bearing on thebottom of the latter.

By screwing up or unscrewing the nut n, the initial position of thelever n and consequently the output of the apparatus will be varied.

On the other hand the air contained in the fluidtight chamber j abovethe diaphragm is prevents the pressure of the atmosphere from actingdirectly on the latter, which would have the result, when a change ofaltitude occurred, of causing a displacement of this diaphragm such thatthe lever a would keep the oxygen admission orifice closed and wouldconsequently prevent the apparatus from operating normally. Thus thediaphragm responds to the pressure of the expanded gas in comparison toordinary atmospheric pressure in such wise as to compensate forvariation of the expanded gas from atmospheric pressure by regulatingthe passage of the gas by means of the valve washer of the spring 0.

Above the box j is arranged a pressure gauge comprising a fluidtightchamber m in direct and constant communication through the passage Zwith the oxygen reservoir. This chamber m contains a Bourdon tube mcontrolling a needle m displaceable over a raduated dial m for thepurpose of indicating at all times the pressure and volume of the gasremaining in the reservoir.

The dial m is perfectly visible from the outside, as shown by Figure 2.

Where the present apparatus is designed to supply gas simultaneously toseveral persons, three for instance, it is necessary for the quantity ofgas reaching the distributor to be capable of being varied when theapparatus is only being utilized by one or two persons.

In order to obtain this result a cock 9 is inserted on the pipe 2. Theplug a of this cock is formed with a. groove 9* oi decreaslng depthwhich allows varying quantities of oxygen to pass according to theposition of the plug. The latter is actuated by means of a disc 9' whichis displaceable beneath a pointer g and bears marks corresponding to thenecessary discharge for one, two or three persons. The cock also enablesthe passage for the gas to be completely closed when the mark 0 isbrought opposite to the pointer.

The present apparatus is also provided with a device enabling thepassage of the gas coming from the distribntor to be observed, it beingof interest to aviators or. aeronauts' to know whether'the oxygen isflowing properly from the distributor or whether the latter is out oforder or obstructed.

The device enabling the passage of the gas to be observed consists of abox 1- connected by a tube 1* to the outlet passage 9 of thedistributor, and provided with a nozzle 1' to which is fixed the pipecommunicating with the mask or masks.

The box 1' contains a wheels provided with vanes mounted on a rotatingvertical axis 8, which revolves under the action of the gas passingthrough a semicircular tube 8 pierced with holes at its upper part (Figure 7 The spindle s carries a needle t which is displaced with it andrevolves in the upper part of the box 0" so long as the gas is Howingfrom the distributor. This needle is perfectly visible from the outside,as the drawing shows. By means of this observation device, therefore,the outflow of gas from the automatic regulator proper is visiblyindicated.

The whole of the parts constituting the observation device are enclosedin a box u provided with a window u to enable these parts to be observedand the flow of gas checked.

As has been said above, the present apparatus is more especiallyintended to supply aviators or aeronauts with variable quantities ofoxygen enabling the effects of the decrease in atmospheric pressure tobe combated, but it will be quite understood that it is applicable toother uses, in particular for supplying automatically to internal com Ibustion engines mounted on aeroplanes the quantities of gas or airnecessary for their satisfactory working Whatever altitude may bereached by the aircraft.

While the distribution of gas by the slide valve is predetermined in thesense that the rate of distribution, or volume of flow per unit time, isdependent upon antecedent. conditions, the distribution is notpredetermined in the sense that the gas is distributed in definite (ascontrasted with continuing) quantities or unit increments ofpredetermined volume, either to or from the slide valve; to the contrarythe distribution of gas, when initiated by the ascent of the aviator tothe altitude requiring the amplification of oxygen in his respiratoryair supply, is more often steady and continuous, and is only varied inthe rate of volume supplied per unit of time, coincident with variationsof atmospheric pressure or altitudes attained by him, and the quantityof gas to be supplied to the aviator is on y actually predetermined bythe capacity of his oxygen tank. mined quantities employed is not usedherein as .a term of limitation but is used rather to define theregulated manner in which the gas is supplied, whether continuous,intermittent, or otherwise, to the end that the requirements of theaviator, engine, etc., for the gas at any stated altitude or atmospher cpressure may be met and supplied automat1- cally, by means which isinfluenced by conditions existent at the'stated altitude or by thestated atmosphericpressure to supply the gas in the exact or approximatequantity, volume or rate of flow demanded by the aviator, engine, etc.,atthat particular altitude or atmospheric pressure.

It will be obvious that the device of the present invention may beinfluenced by any pressures extraneous to the apparatus itself andarising in a static medium and the use thereofis not necessarily limitedto atmospheric control but may be utilized wherever distribution of aflowing medium is to be controlled by variations in pressure in anotherand static medium in which the apparatus is steeped, and extraneous orindependent of the particular medium. distributed and controlled.

The above arrangements are only given by way of example. The forms,dimensions and devices of detail may be varied according to.circumstances without-affecting the principle of the invention.

Claims:

1. An. automatic regulator for the distribution ofpredetermlned'quantities of gas under variable atmospheric, pressures atvarying altitudes, utilizingthe effects of the barometricalpressure foractuating a special gas distributor arranged for allowing a more or lessabundantyflow jof this gas according to the di fi'erent' altitudes.

2. An automatic regulator-for the distributionof predeterminedquantitiesof gas under variable atmospheric pressures, comprisinga deviceresponsiveto variatlon of atmospheric pressure, and agas distributorcontrolled by said responsive device in such wise as to allow a'mo're orless abundant flow of the gas to be, so distributed according to theatmospheriepressure. w

3 An automatic regulator for the dis- Therefore,- the term predeter--tribution of predetermined quantities of gas at varying altitudes tocompensate for the varying oxygen content of the atmosphere, comprisinga device responsive to variation of altitude, and a gas distributorcontrolled b said responsive device in such wise as to al ow a more orless abundant flow of the gas to be so distributed according to thealtitude.

4. An automatic regulator for the ex ansion and distribution ofpredetermined quantities of gas at varying altitudes froma supply underpressure too high for direct use, comprising means responsive to thepressure of the expanded gas incomparison with ordinary atmosphericpressure and to variation of altitude, and means for regulating thepassage of the gas to be distributed controlled by said responsive meansin such wise as to compensate for variation of the expanded gas fromatmospheric pressure and to allow a more or less. abundant flow of gasaccording to the altitude.

5. An automatic regulator for expansion and distribution ofpredetermined quantities of gas under variable atmospheric pressuresfrom a supply under pressure too high or direct use, comprising a deviceresponsive to variation of atmospheric pressure, a device responsive tothe pressure of the expanded gas in comparison with-ordinary atmosphericpressure, and means for regulating the passage of gas to be distributedcontrolled by said devices in such wise as to maintain the pressure ofthe expanded gas substantially constant and to allow a more or lessabundant flow of gas according to the atmospheric pressure.

6. An automatic regulator in accordance with claim 5, in combinationwith means for visibly indicating the outflow of gas therefrom. w

7. An automatic regulatorfor thev distribution of predeterminedquantities of gas under variable atmospheric pressures, comprising incombination: barometrical shells connected together, a rod fixed to thelast shell, a gasdistributor connected to therool of the shell, a gascontrolling and regulating device connected tothe distributor, a

cock for regulating the quantity of expanded gas entering into thedistributor and a device for the control of the expanded gas.

8. An automatic regulator for the dis tribution of predeterminedquantities of gas under variable atmospheric pressures, comprising incombination: barometrical shells connected together, a rod fixed to thelast shell, and moving in one. direction or traction of the shells, agas distributor constituted by a cylinder open at one of its ends, aslide valve connected to the rod of the barometrical shells moving inthis cylinder, a slot of progressing depth and width the. other throughthe expansion or conmagma communicating with an inner chamber of thecylinder for allowing a variable and predetermined flow of gas accordingto the position occupied by the slide valve, an out-let passage for thegas issuing from the distributor, a gas controlling and regulatingdevice connected to the distributor, a cock for regulating the quantityof expanded gas entering into the distributor and a device for thecontrol of the expanded as. 0 9. An automatic regulator for thedistribution of predetermined quantities of gas under variableatmospheric pressures, comprising in combination: barometrical shellsconnected together, a rod fixed to the last shell, and moving in onedirection or the other through the expansion or contraction of theshells, a gas distributor comprising a slide valve connected to the rodof the shells and moving in a cylinder provided with a slot ofprogressing depth and width for allowing a variable and predeterminedflow of gas according to the position occupied by the slide valve, a gascontrolling and regulating device connected to a reservoir containinggas under pressure and to the distributor and comprising a diaphragm theexpansion of which determines, through the medium of suitable members,the closing of the passage bringing in the gas under pressure when thedistributor is not actuated and the contraction of which diaphragmallows the admission of the gas under pressure in the controlling andregulating device when the expanded as passes through the distributor, acock %or regulating the quantity of expanded gas entering into thedistrlbutor and a device for the control of the expanded gas.

10. An automatic regulator for the distribution of predeterminedquantities of gas under variable atmospheric pressures, comprising incombination: barometrical shells connected together, a rod fixed to anand shell, and moving in one direction or the other through theexpansion or contraction of the shells, a gas distributor comprising aslide valve connected to the rod of the shells and moving in a cylinderprovided with a slot of progressing depth and width for allowing avariable and predetermined flow of gas according to the positionoccupied by the slide valve, a gas controlling and regulating deviceconnected to a reservoir containing gas under pressure and to thedistributor and comprising a chamber divided in two compartments by adiaphragm, the lower compartment communi eating with the reservoircontaining gas under pressure and with the distributor, a lever pivotedat one of its ends to the center of the diaphragm in the lowercompartment, a washer for closing the gas inlet orifice provided in thecontrolling and regulating device, said washer being arranged under theother end of the lever, a spring carrying this Washer for determiningthe raising of the latter and the uncovering of the orifice, a sleevefor the joint of the lever on thediaphragm, a screw threaded rodintegral with said sleeve and passing through a cup fixed to the centerof the diaphragm, nuts screwed on said rod for allowing to vary theposition of the sleeve and consequently that of the lever in order toobtain variations in the outflow of the apparatus, a cock for regulatinthe quantity of expanded gas entering into the distrlbutor and a devicefor the control of the expanded gas.

11. An automatic regulator for the distribution of predeterminedquantities of gas under variable atmospheric pressures, comprising incombination: barometrical shells connected together, a rod fixed to anend shell, a gas distributor connected to the rod of the shell, a gascontrolling and regulating device connected to the distributor, and to agas reservoir and comprising a chamber divided in two compartments by adiaphragm, a lever pivoted to the center of the diaphragm, in the lowercompartment and determining the uncovering or the covering of theorifice bringing in the gas under pressure, means for adjusting theinitial position of this lever, a fluid-tight chamber constituted by theupper compartment, containing air at the atmospheric pressure of theplace where the apparatus was adjusted for preventing the decrease inatmospheric pressure from acting directly on the diaphragm, a pressuregauge arranged abovethe controlling and regulating device and connectedto the passage bringing in the gas under pressure to the latter forcontrolling the volume and pressure of the gas remaining in thereservoir, a cock for regulating the quantity of expanded gas enteringinto the distributor and device for the control of the expanded gas.

12. An automatic regulator for the distribution of predeterminedquantities of gas under variable atmospheric pressures, com-- prising incombination: barometrical shells connected together, a rod fixed to anend shell, a gas distributor connected to the rod of the shell, a gascontrolling'and regulating device connected to the distributor, and to agas reservoir, a cock arranged on the conduit connecting the controllingand regulating device to the gas distributor, the key of this cockhaving a groove of decreasing depth for the passage of variablequantities otgas according to the position of the key, a graduated discintegral with said key and moving in front of a pointer for indicatingthe quantity of as passing through the cock, and device or the controlof the expanded gas.

' semi-circular tube perforated for the cock for regulating t equantity] of expanded gas entering into the distributor, a device forthe controlof the passage of the gas coming from the distributor andconstituted by a casing connected to the distributor, a wheel withblades arranged in the said casingand mounted: on, a rotary shaft, a

. sage of the expandedgas'wh'ich causes the said wheel to rotate, anouter needle mounted on the-shaft of the latter and rotating With saidshaft as long as the gas coming from the distributor passes through thebox containing the wheel provided with blades.

14. -An; automatic regulator for the distribution of predeterminedquantities of gas under variable atmospheric pressures, comprising adevice responsive to variation of atmospheric pressure, and a gasdistributor controlled by said responsive device in such Wise as toallow a-more or less abundant flow of the gas to be sodistributed-according to the atmospheric pressure, in combinationwithmeans for visibly indicating the outflow of gas from saiddistributor.

15. An automatic regulator 'for the distribution of a flowing'mediumunder vari' able pressures ofan extraneous static medium correspondingto variations of atmospheric pressure, including means to control theflowing medium, and means responsive to such. pressure variationsin theextrane one medium vfor causing the controlling means to vary the.distribution of the flowing medium coincident with pressurevariat'rons.

of the extraneous medium.

16. An automatic: regulator for therdis tribution of aflowing-respiration supporting medium. under variable pressures of anextraneous static medium corresponding to variations. of atmosphericpressure, includingmeans to'control'the volume flow of the flowingmedium,"QaInd means responsive to such gpressure variations n theextraneous medlum for causing the controlhng-means' to vary the flow ofthe flowing medium coincident with pressure variations of the extraneous medlum andiin inverse'ratio;

tribution of oxygen under variable pressures of the atmosphere,'including'"means to controlthe rate of flowof the oxygen, and

means responsive to atmospheric pressure variations for causing thecontrolling means to increase the rate of flow of the oxygen coincidentwith a decrease in pressure of the.

measles atmosphere and vice verse to cause a more or less abundantflowing of the oxygen in inverse ratio to the varying pressure of theatmosphere.

18. An automatic regulator for the distribution of a flowing medium froma source ofssupp-ly under variable pressures of an extraneous staticmedium having pressure limits at greater variance with the mean pressureof the source of suppl of the flowing medium, means to control t e rateof flow of the flOWiIlg medium,- means to supply the flowing medium tothe controlling means at a pressure at lesser variance with the pressurelimits of the extraneous medium, and means responsive to variations inpressure of the extraneous medium to cause the controlling means to varythe rate of. flow of the flowing medium ,coin cidently with pressurevariations of the extraneous mediunn i 19. "An -automatic regulator forthe distribution of a flowing medium from a hi h pressure source ofsupply under varia le pressures of a low-pressure extraneous'staticmedium, including means to control the rate of flow of the flowingmedium, means to sup ply the flowing medium to the controlling means ata low pressure 1n excess of the maximum pressure of the extraneousmedium, and means responsive to pressure variations of the extraneousmedium to cause the controlling means to vary the rate of flow of theflowing medium coincidently with pressure variations of the extraneoumedium. 7 r 1 20. An automatic regulator to control the. supply ofrespiration supporting gas to aviators athigh altitudes, including acontrolsupply of respiration supporting gas to.

aviators at high altitudes from-a source of high pressure gas supplyincluding a controlling means capable, when. operated to vary the volumeflow of the gas to the aviator, means to automatically control thepassage of gasfrom the sourceof supply to said controlling means so asto cause the latter I A to supply the gas to the aviator at a pressure17 'An automaticregulator forrthe disslightly in excess of maximumatmospheric pressure, and means responsive to variations of atmosphericpressure incidentalflto altitude changes, whereby the aviator is supplied with gas, in varying and continuous or intermittent quantitiesrequisite to supply his needs at different altitudes attained.

22. An automatic regulator for the distribution of a flowing meduimunder variable pressures of a static, extraneous medium, including meansadjustable to variously fix the volume flow of the flowing medium, anautomatic controlling means to receive the flowing medium from theadjustable means to vary the flow of the flowing medium within limitsfixed by the adjustable means, and means responsive to pressurevariations ot' the extraneous medium to cause the controlling means tooperate in the manner aforesaid.

23. An automatic regulator to control the supply of respiration!supporting gas to aviators at high altitudes including means adjustableto variously fix the volume flow according to the number of aviators tobe supplied, means to control the volume flow to the aviators withinlimits fixed by the adjustable means, and means responsive to variationsin atmospheric pressure incidental to altiude changes to cause thecontrolling means to supply gas to the aviators in volume or quantitiesrequisite to their needs at the difierent altitudes attained.

24:. An automatic regulator for the distribution of a flowing mediumfrom a source of high pressure supply under variable pressures of astatic extraneous medium, including a controlling means capable, whenoperated to vary the volume flow of the flowing medium, means to supplythe latter to the controlling means at a pressure slightly in excess ofthe maximum pressure of the extraneous medium, means to variously fixthe volume flowof the flowing medium whereby the controllin means mayvary the rate of flow only within any fixed limits appointed by the lastmentioned means, and means responsive to pressure variations of theextraneous medium to operate the controlling means in the manner stated.

The foregoing specification of An automatic regulator for thedistribution of predetermined quantities of gas under variableatmospheric pressures, signed by me this twenty-second day of October,1917.

CHAS. P. PREssLY, lFnANgoIs WEBER.

